Automatic gas-lighting attachment.



No. 733,667. Y PATENTED JULY 14, 1903.

- v 0 F. MASON. AUTOMATIGI'GAS LIGHTING ATTACHMENT.

, APPLIQJHJION FILED MAR. 23, 1903.

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THE N No. 733,667. PATENTED JULY 14, 1903.

G. F. MASON.

AUTOMATIC GAS LIGHTING ATTACHMENT.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 23, 1903.

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No. 733,667 PATENTED JULY 14, 1903 G. I. MASON.

AUTOMATIC GAS LIGHTING ATTACHMENT.

' APPLICATION IILE'D MAR. 23, 1903. 110 MODEL. 3 sums-31151:: a.

iumlll attozwu a UNITED STATES Patented Jul 14., 1903.

PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES F MASON, OF DRYDEN, NEW YORK.

.SEECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 733,667, dated July 14, 1903.

Application filed March 23,1903- Serial No. 149,188. (No model.)

New York,h ave invented a new and useful Au tomatic Gas-Lighting Attachment, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates toautomatic gas-lighting attachments, and is designed especially for use with street-lamps or maybe employed, if desired, for lighting burners in homes or public buildings.

The object of the invention is to provide an attachment for gas-burners which is adapted to be operated by the passage ofgas through the pipe to the burner, so that all that is necessary to effect the lighting of the gas is to open the valve, which allows gas to pass through the supply-pipe to the burner; and the invention consists in the novel construction and combination of parts of an automatic gas-lighter hereinafter described, shown in the accompanying drawings, and covered by the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, and in which corre-' sponding parts are designated by the same characters of reference throughout the various views in which they appear, are shown two somewhat different forms of embodiment of the invention capable of carrying the same into practical operation.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a vertical section through the preferred form of theinvention, showing the parts in inoperative position. Fig. 2 is a vertical section similar to Fig. 1, but with the parts in theposition taken after the gas has been lighted. Fig. 3 is a detail view of the pivoted sparking member 16. Fig. 4 is a detail view of the clampingcollar and supporting-standard for the sparking member. Fig. 5 is a view in vertical section through a modified form of the invention, the parts being shown in inoperative position. Fig. 6 is a view in vertical section through a form of the'invention resembling that shown in Fig. 5 in the construction of the tank and float, but having a novel form of sparking mechanism attached thereto, the parts being shown in the position taken when the apparatus is free from gas. Fig. 7 is a view of the sparking apparatus shown in Fig. 6 with the parts shown in the position taken after lighting. Fig. 8 is a View showing the sparking apparatus as shown in Figs. 6 and 7, but taken from a direction at rightangles to Figs. 6 and 7 and showing the sparking member in position after lighting.

It is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the exact form, proportions, or mode of assemblage of the elements shown and hereinafter described, but reserve the right to make such changes therein as do not depart from the spirit of the invention and lie within the scope of the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings by reference characters, 1 designates a tank. containing a liquid 2, which should be one which does not evaporate readily and which freezes only at very low temperatures, such as kerosene-oil, for example. A convenient-sized tank for use with the ordinary street-lamp is one of nine inches in height and about four inches in diameter. The tank 1 has a bottom 3 and top 4 to exclude air therefrom and prevent evaporation of the liquid 2. Passing through the bottom is a gas'supply pipe 5, which enters the tank at the center of the bottom and is then bent to one side at 6 and bent upward again at 7, so that it lies near one side of the tank, so as to be out of the way of the mechanism presently to be described. Passing through the top of the tank near the upper end of the gas-supply pipe, which reaches almost to the top of the tank, as shown, is a pipe 8, on the upper end of which is carried a burner 9, which will be of any suitable form for the variety of gas used. The pipe 8 is bent above the top of the tank, as shown, in order to bring the burner carried thereby over the central axis of the tank, as shown, and the lower end of the pipe'8 extends straight down and below the top of the tank to a point slightly below the normal level of theliquid 2 contained in the tank. Depending from the top et of .the tank is a large tube 10, which extends gas can pass from the upper portion of the tank into the tube 10 except through the bottom of the tube, which is open; but as the liquid 2 fills the tank to about midway of its IFO height the space above the level of the liquid in the tank forms a chamber which is completely cut off from the tube 10, and gas cannot escape therefrom except through the supply-pipe 5 and the burner-pipe 8. \Vithin the tube 10 and resting on the surface of the liquid 2 is a hollow float 11, bearing on the upper surface thereof a rod 12, which projects upward through a small opening 13 in the top of the tank. The opening 13 is made small inorder to prevent the evaporation of the liquid 2 and prevent the entrance into the tank of trash or dirt of any kind. Pivotally connected with the rod 12 is a link 14, which is jointed at its upper end to the arm 15 of a pivoted sparking member 16, which is mounted in the slotted end of asmall tube 17, clamped, by means of the collar 18 and screw 19, to the upper portion of the supplypipe 8. The sparking member 16 has another arm 20, which is disposed substantially at right angles to the arm 15 and is adapted to be brought into contact with the upper end of a stationary sparking member 21, which lies just above the burner 9. The stationary sparking member 21 is supported in a bracket 22, mounted on the top 4 of the tank and having a binding-post 23, to which is attached a wire 24 from a sparking coil (not shown) and a clamp 25, in which the sparking member 21 is firmly held. The binding-post 23 and clamp 25 are insulated from the tank 1, while the collar 18, on which is mounted the tube 17, which supports the pivoted sparking member, is in electrical contact with the burner-pipe 8. In this way the burner-pipe and tank, which are of metal and which are in contact with the metal of the supportingpost of the streetlamp, afford a return for the current from the -sparking coil when the pivoted sparking member is brought into contact with the stationary sparking member, thus completing the electrical circuit.

The operation of the automatic lighter is as follows: The parts being brought into the position shown in Fig. 1, gas is allowed to enter through the supply-pipe 5, and as the pressure of the gas in the upper portion of the tank increases the liquid 2 is forced downward in the tank and up in the tube 10, from which the air in the upper portion can escape through the opening 13. The portions of the tank below the tube are so arranged that when the level of the liquid 2 in the tank has been lowered sufficiently to permit gas to enter freely into the burner-pipe 8 the float 11 will have risen in the tube 10 sufficiently to bring the arm 20 of the pivoted sparking member 16 into contact with the upperstationary end of the sparking member 21, and as soon as the flow of gas through the burner 9 is established the increase of pressure in the tank will cause the float 11 to rise sufficiently to move the arm 20 of the pivoted sparker 16 out of contact with the stationary sparker 21, thereby producing an electrical spark which will ignite the gas escaping from the burner 9.

In the modified form of the machine I employ a tank 30, containing a liquid 31 of the same character as that employed in the apparatus already described and having a bottom 32 pierced centrally for the entrance of the gas-supply pipe 33. The top 34 of the tank is provided with a large opening 35, through which passes the burner supply-pipe 36, and a smaller opening 37, adapted to permit the passage of a tubular extension 38, mounted on top of the float 39. Extending upward from the bottom of the tank isa large tube 40, over which fits the lower portion of the float 39, which is open at the bottom and closed at the top except at the point of passage therethrough of the burner -pipe 36, which is mounted in the top of the float and rises and fallstherewith. The gas-supply pipe 33 passes upward from the bottom of the tank through the large tube to enter the tubular extension 38, which is closed at the top to prevent the escape of the gas passing through the supply-pipe and open at the bot tom to communicate freely with the interior of the float 39. The lower end of the bu rnerpipe 36 lies just below the level of the top of the tube 40, which is the normal level of the liquid 2, whichtherefore forms a seal for the lower end of the burner-pipe when the float 39 is resting on the bottom of the tank. Extending upward from the top 34 of the tank is a tubular extension 41, having an inwardlyprojecting flange 42, which serves in a measure to prevent the entrance of trash into the tank through the openings 35 and 37 and also to prevent accidental escape of the liquid 2 by splashing. Mounted on the tubular extension 41 is a plate 43 of insulating material, on which is supported the forked contact member 44, to which is connected the wire 45, leading from the sparking coil. (Not shown.) Mounted upon the burner-pipe 36 and insulated therefrom a short distance above the top of the float 39 is a collar 46, which has attached at one side a finger 47, adapted when the float 39 is raised by the admission of the gas into the top thereof through the pipe 33 to enter between the diverging ends of the fork 44 and establish electrical connection therewith. On the side of the collar 46, opposite the finger 47, is supported the sparking member 48, which extends upward and terminates just above the burner 49, mounted at the top of the burner-pipe 36. Securely fastened to the burner-pipe 36, just below the burner 49, is a clamp collar 50, which has attached to one side thereof an upwardly-extending arm 51, which has pivotally mounted in the upper end thereof a sparking member 52, comprising a contact-arm 53 and lever-arm 54. The free end of the arm 54 is connected, by means of a link 55, with the upward extension 41 of the tank 30, so that the upward movement of the float 39, carrying the burner-pipe 36, with its IIO attachments, will cause the pivoted sparking member 52 to turn on its supportingpivot and come into contact with the upper end of the member 48 as it passes over the burner 49, thus producing a spark.

The operation of the modified form of automatic lighter just described is somewhat different from the form first described, as will now appear.

In the modified form of burner the float 39 is not carried upward by the rise of the liquid in any portion of the tank, but instead is.

forced upward by the entrance of gas into the upper portion thereof above the level of the liquid 31. As the float 39 rises it carries upward with it the burner-pipe 36, the lower end of which is lifted above the liquid 31 as the float 39 rises, and gas is permitted to enter the burner-pipe and pass upward to the burner 49 at the top of the pipe. The rise of the float, with the increase of gas in the upper portion of the tank, brings the finger 47 into engagement with the fork contact-piece 44, so that the current from the wire 45,which leads from a suitable sparking coil, may pass through the finger 47, the collar 46, and the stationary sparker 48, and passing thence through the pivoted sparker 52 and its metallic support to the burner-pipe 36, the tank, and the metal post of the streetlamp to the earth. It will be observed that with the parts arranged as shown in the drawings the completion of the circuit by contact of the finger 47 with the forked contact-piece 43 occurs after the pivoted sparker 52 is brought into contact with the stationary sparker and before the continued upward movement of the float 39 causes the pivoted sparker to pass out of contact with the stationary sparker, and so produce a spark which will ignite the gas then escaping from the burner 49. It will also be observed that by reason of the pecul' iar shape of the contact-piece 44 electrical contact is maintained between the base 43 and the finger 47 during a considerable amount of the upward movement of the float 47. The two sides of the piece 44 may be made of resilient material, such as spring-brass or hammered copper, to cause them to engage with light pressure upon the sides of the finger 47, but without producing sufficient friction to check the upward movement of the finger between them.

The form of embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 6, 7, and 8 comprises the tank 30, having the bottom 32, inlet-pipe 33, float 39, and pipe 36, arranged in the same manner as illustrated in Fig. 5. The top of the tank 30 in Fig. 6, however, is provided with an opening 35, which is smaller than the opening 35, provided as shown in Fig. 5 and fitting more closely to the pipe 36, which passes therethrough, and instead of the opening 37 in the top of the tank 30, as in Fig. 5, there is provided a tubular cap 37, closed at the top, into which the tubular extension 38 on float 39 passes when float 39 is raised by the entry of gas through inlet-pipe 33. The object of these differences in construction is to provide the more effectively for the prevention of all evaporation of the liquid contained in the tank.

In order to make the opening 35 at the top of the tank as small as possible and so minimize the evaporation of liquid in the tank, the contact members (shown in Fig. 5) are omitted and a form of sparking apparatus resembling more than that shown in Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, is substituted. In the modified form of sparking apparatus there is provided a stationary sparker 61, secured to pipe 36 by means of a clamping-collar 60, which remains at all times above the top of the tank 30. The stationary sparker 61 terminates at its upper end in a curved portion extending over the burner 62, which is somewhat different from that shown in Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive, and is of a type especially adapted for use in burning acetylene gas. The movable sparker is mounted on a bracket 64, secured by means of a clamping-collar 63 to the upper portion of pipe 36, and is operated bya bell-crank 65, having a curved arm 66 for contact with the movable sparker, also carried by bracket 64, and a straight arm 67, having pivotal connection with a link 68, which is pivotally connected at its lower end with a bracket 69, insulated from the top'of the tubular extension 41 of the tank 30. The bracket 69 is provided with a binding-post for the clamping in electrical contact therewith of a wire 70. The pivoted sparker is also of bell-crank form and comprises an arm 71, adapted for contact with the end ofthe stationary sparker 61, and an arm 72, adapted to contact with arm 67 of the bell-crank 65, as will be presently explained.

When the apparatus is free from gas, as indicated in Fig. 6, the arm 71 of the pivoted sparker is held in contact with curved arm 66 of the bell-crank by means of the spring 73, connected at its upper end with said arm 71 and at its lower end with a stud 74, projecting from the clamping-collar 60 and provided with an insulating covering to prevent electrical contact between the spring 73 and collar 60. When gas is admitted to the apparatus and the float 39 rises, carryingwith it the pipe 36, with the structures mounted thereon, the bell-crank 65 will be swung in the bearings provided therefor in bracket 64,and the curved arm 66 will force the arm 71 of tho pivoted sparker into contact with the stationary sparker 61 and then out of contact, producing an ignition-spark, by means of which the gas, which by that time will be escaping from the burner, will be lighted. As the float 39 continues to rise until the escape of gas through the pipe 36 becomes uniform, the pivoted sparking member will be turned in its bearings in the bracket 64 until the upper end of spring 73 passes over the point of support of the pivoted sparker and turns it into the position shown in Fig. 7, with the arm 72 in contact with arm 67 of the bell-eranklever 65, in which position the pivoted sparker will remain as long as the float 39 is inelevated position. When the supply of gas is cut off, the float 39 descends, arm '67 of the bell-crank will be forced upward by the link 68, swinging the pivoted sparker with it until the point of attachment of the upper end of spring '73 passes over the pivotal point of the sparker and throws it suddenly into the position shown in Fig. 6.

The object of the mechanism for producing the sudden downward movement of the pivoted sparker as the float 39 subsides is to make the arm 71 pass as rapidly as possible through the flame of the burner, thus minimizing the effect of the flame upon arm 71, and so prolonging the life of said sparker-arm.

With automatic lighting devices of any of the described forms it is possible to dispense entirely with the services of lighters to go 1 pipe mounted in the top of said tank and exthrough the town and light the street-lamps, as the whole system may be lighted simultaneously by turning on the gas at the central gas plant and allowing it to pass through the supply-pipes to the various street-lamps.

As these means forgenerating the electrical current for producing the spark form no part of my invention, I have not shown or described any apparatus for that purpose; but it is obvious that either of two forms may be followed. A central generator may send out a current through suitable conductors to every street-lamp, or each street-lamp may be provided with the ordinary type of electric battery and sparking coils and act independently of each other. This latter is the preferred arrangement, as by it the cost of wiring the entire city-lighting system is obviated and by occasional inspection and replenishment of the batteries an entirely effective system may be had.

I-Iaving described the construction and operation of my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The combination in apparatus of the class described of a tank having two co mpartments communicating with each other, one of said compartments being closed at the top and the other having an opening in the upper portion thereof, a gas-supply pipe terminating in the closed compartment of said tank,a burnerpipe extending outward from the closed compartment of said tank, a liquid of suitable kind in said tank and adapted when at its normal level to seal the burner-pipe, a float in the open compartment of the tank, and a gasigniter adapted to be operated by the rise of said float.

2. The combination in apparatus of the class described of a tank containing a suitable liquid, a gas-supply pipe terminating above the level of said liquid in said tank, a burner-pipe mounted in the top of said tank and having its end below the normal level of said liquid, a dependent tube hermetically attached to the top of said tank and extending downward below the bottom of the burnerpipe, a float resting on the surface of the liquid in said depending tube, and a gas-igniter adapted to be operated by the rise of the float in the tube.

3. The combination in apparatus of the class described, of a tank containing a suitable liquid, a gas-supply pipe passing upward through the bottom of said tank and terminating near the closed top thereof, a burnertending downward below the normal level of the liquid therein, a dependent tube attached to the top of said tank and open at its bottom which is at a lower level than that of the burner-pipe, a float resting on the surface of the liquid in said tube, a gas-igniter comprising a stationary member and a pivoted member,and connection between the pivoted member and the float whereby the upward movement of the float will cause the pivoted member to pass into and out of contact with the stationary member thereby producing a spark.

at. The combination in apparatus of the class described of a tank through which gas is adapted to pass on its way to a burner, a float in said tank adapted to be raised by the entrance of gas into the tank, a burner supported above the tank, an igniter comprising a fixed member having an end over said burner and a pivoted member having an arm adapted to be brought into contact with the end of said fixed member, and connections between the float and the pivoted member whereby the rise of the float in the tank will actuate said pivoted member and produce a spark.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

CHAS. MASON.

Witnesses:

ALFRED MYERS, B. S. WEYANS. 

